Ariana DeBose, the Oscar-winning star of West Side Story, has spoken out against the Critics Choice Awards for making a “disrespectful” joke at her expense.
The joke occurred during the presentation of the Best Song category, when presenters Bella Ramsey and Anthony Ramos listed some of the nominees, including Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz and Dua Lipa. They then added, “Then there are the actors who also think that they’re singers - Jack Black, Ariana DeBose and Ken himself, Ryan Gosling.”
Download The world news app and enjoy additional content watch videos and football matches
The camera cut to DeBose, who looked visibly annoyed by the remark. DeBose is a triple-threat performer who has starred in several Broadway musicals, including Hamilton, Pippin and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, for which she received a Tony nomination. She also won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story.
DeBose later took to Instagram to express her displeasure with the joke. “No I didn’t find it funny. Lol,” she wrote on her story. She also received support from many fans and fellow celebrities on social media, who praised her talent and criticized the awards show for being insensitive and ignorant.
The Critics Choice Awards have not issued an apology or a statement regarding the joke as of yet. DeBose was nominated for Best Song for “This Wish” from Disney’s Wish, but lost to Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die” from the James Bond film of the same name.
